White Sox decline $3 million option on Albers

With the 2016 season finally in the books, the Chicago White Sox wasted little time making roster moves for 2017 on Thursday.

The Sox exercised a $250,000 buyout on relief pitcher Matt Albers, declining their $3 million club option for next season and making the 33-year-old pitcher a free agent.

Albers was 2-6 with a 6.31 ERA in 58 games for the White Sox. Dating back to 2015, the right-hander had a 35-inning scoreless streak that Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr. snapped with a solo homer on May 5.

A heavy early workload took a toll on Albers, who was limited to 19 appearances after the all-star break while going 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA.

The Sox also released relief pitcher Daniel Webb, who had season-ending elbow surgery in June. Webb is expected to miss most of the 2017 season, but he could return to the White Sox on a minor-league deal.

The White Sox reinstated reliever Jake Petricka and third baseman Matt Davidson from the 60-day disabled list.

Petricka appeared in just 9 games for the Sox before landing on the DL with a right hip impingement that required surgery.

Davidson came up from Class AAA Charlotte on June 30, made his White Sox debut the same day and suffered a broken right foot running the bases after singling against the Minnesota Twins.

In 75 games with Charlotte, Davidson hit .268 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI.

The Sox also outrighted outfielder J.B. Shuck to Charlotte on Thursday, and their 40-man roster stands at 37. In 80 games with the Sox, Shuck hit .205 with 4 homers and 14 RBI.